The Red Storm proved its national ranking at The Mecca.
If there were any questions surrounding St. John’s’ first placement in the AP Top 25 Men’s Basketball Poll in nearly six years, the doubters were silenced in Sunday afternoon’s Madison Square Garden opener.
The Red Storm boasted a perfect record through three games but hadn’t faced the toughest of competition. In its first challenge, Head Coach Rick Pitino’s crew led his son, Richard, and the New Mexico Lobos wire-to-wire in a dominant 85-71 victory.
“It was a great win with a great crowd,” the Hall of Famer said.